VARIETY BASH – FOLLOW THEIR JOURNEY
The Variety Bash’s Deborah Potts is keeping us updated on their journey with daily blogs.
DAY 5 Armidale – Bobin – Port Macquarie
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It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas this morning in Armidale.
In its 3rd year the ARMIDALE Santa Fun Run is set to celebrate Christmas in July once again.
On Sunday 11th July it is hoped that the Armidale community will rally behind the Santa Fun Run and help kids, be kids.
As you can see a crowd of Santa’s is a great spectacle. Get a team of workmates, school friends, family and friends and have walk, run, hop, walk the dog and have a heap of fun whilst raising money for children in the Armidale New England Region.
Off to Bobin PUblic School for Lunch. Founded in 1883 Bobin Public School was the centre of the community and now 130 years on still unites the locals. The school currently is home to 12 students and is run on a Departmental budget and receives no additional funding. The original request was for a Ukulele, tuner and music books. That appeal was assessed and upgraded to provide each student with a ukulele so that they can perform together. In addition, in support of the schools sustainability program which teaches the children additional life skills they have requested some raised garden beds and gardening equipment. Also on the wish list were some educational games that provide an interactive learning experience.
Rolly de With, President of The Newcastle & Hunter Sub -branch of the AHA presented the school on behalf of
Variety – the Children’s Charity all of this equipment to the value of $2015. We are confident that the students will enjoyeach gift and remember Variety when the equipment is used.
Rain closed the Bash Route this afternoon, so instead a few unscheduled stops at various places along the way to Port Macquarie.
DAY 4 Moree – Manilla – Armidale
Last night at dinner in Moree the local speech pathologist was presented with 3000 books to assist intheir program. This was followed by “bush poets night”, with many of the bashers showing their ‘softer, poetic side’!
Breakfast at Moree school with a presentation of $5586 to assist with a number of learning projects for the school. Also a presentation of a specialised bingo stroller ales at $5495 for a young student Jack who suffers from severe autism.
Onto Manilla for lunchtime at the school where a presentation. Of over $5000 to the school to assist with the purchase of playground equipment and to meet 6yo Rhys klauder and present him with the funding for a $20000 prosthetic arm.
Arrival in Armidale late this afternoon to some wet and cold weather with dinner at the Wicklow hotel and a presentation by John Paul Young. Another great fun day on the bash where “it’s all about the kids”
Melanie Dyer, Future Kids Scholarship Recipient
PRESENTED BY: JOHN PAUL YOUNG
VARIETY CONTRIBUTION: FUTIRE KIDS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
RECIPIENT: MELANIE DYER
Variety Future Kids Program gives the gift of EDUCATION and ACHIEVEMENT. The Future Kids Program allows children to fuel their passion for learning and achievement by giving them the opportunity to engage in activities that they would otherwise be unable to.
A graduate of both the NSW Talent Development Program and the Academy of Country Music, singer-songwriter Melanie Dyer is a promising young artist that is well and truly making her mark in the Australian Music Industry. With a standing ovation from all four star judges; Keith Urban, Delta Goodrem, Seal and Joel Madden on Nine’s chart-topping reality show ‘The Voice’ in 2012, Melanie was named ‘The One That Got Away’ after a stand out performance of her original song at the Blind Auditions. Melanie’s performance on ‘The Voice’ has exceeded 117,000 views on YouTube and landed her a major record deal as a contemporary artist with Mercury Records of Universal Music Australia.
During her time at high school, Melanie became involved in the NSW Talent Development Project. Mel was one of the youngest to be a part of the programme and she would continue to develop her talent over a number of years. This was an incredible opportunity and meant that she had to be in Sydney for each month for the duration of her course.
Growing up on a farm in Mount Russell, it quickly became expensive for Mel to travel to and from Sydney. The cost of driving 2 hours to her closest regional airport, Armidale, followed by a Qantas link flight soon took its toll on the family’s finances.
It was in 2007 that Melanie applied to ‘Variety – the Children’s Charity’ and soon after that they became involved in Melanie’s career. Variety supported Mel with a number of generous financial contributions over the length of four years.
It was with this support from Variety that Mel was able to graduate from the Talent Development Project in 2010 as one of the youngest singer/songwriters to ever go through the programme.
It is with great pride and gratitude that Melanie remains involved with Variety, giving back in a small way by performing and giving up her time and always serving as a proud ambassador for Variety.
Ladies and Gentleman Variety Future Kids Scholarship recipient and Variety Ambassador, Ms Melanie Dyer
DAY 3
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Arriving in Bourke Monday night, the bashers met at the Port of Bourke hotel for hot showers, dinner and maybe a cleansing ale to wash away the dust of the day. It was “rockstar” night with karaoke of course, the highlight being the rendition of “yesterday’s hero”, that sounded eerily just like the original!! ??
Tuesday morning breakfast was at Bourke public school with the presentation of $4967 from Variety by AHA director of membership, John green. These funds will be used to promote outdoor learning activity for their 207 students, 75% of which are Aboriginal and a number with learning difficulties. Items such as a worm farm, bird feeders, various garden tools will form a somewhat sensory garden for the students.
The funds will also assist with the purchase of three digital cameras.
Leaving Bourke, it was time to head to Walgett for lunch at the Walgett community school which has an enrolment of 120 students between preschool and year 6, 95% are indigenous and a number are in an integrated learning enviroment with a range of special needs.
The school identified an opportunity to facilitate gross motor skill Improvement through the purchase and installation of Nottingham fixed play equipment. $5126 was presented to the school to help with this purchase and hope it will bring much enjoyment to the students of this school. Paul Hogg (aka luigi) GM fox made the presentation at Walgett.
The Bash rolled into Moree late Tuesday afternoon, with many of them weary from travels ready to head to the Moree hot spring baths in the hope of being rejuvenated for the days ahead.
DAY 2
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Today the bashers woke to a frosty start in Dubbo, breakfast at Bunniyong school, with Variety -the childrens charity, making a presentation to the school of $5500 to assist with the purchase of much needed air conditioning units.
The children (and parents) were excited to see all these cars in their playground, and were most appreciative of the donation.
Onward towards Carinda for lunch, with stops at the Collie hotel for a quick game of darts.
Lunch at Carinda school :
Carinda has a student population of 20 students ranging in age from 6 – 12 years. Carinda hasa population of about 200 and the name of the town is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘you carry’.
The school has requested assistance to purchase some reversible basketball/netball towers for the children to use in the playground. At a cost of more than $5000 the schools fundraising capabilities were unable to afford them. So,Variety – the Children’s Charity made the entire contribution of $5616 to purchase and install the basketball towers, Once again empowering children to live,laugh and learn.
Onwards for a dusty trip to Bourke where the bashers will spend the night.
DAY 1 – Newcastle – Coolah – Dubbo
[nggallery id=58].Day 1 started early morning at the foreshore, where the bashers had breakfast and received their instructions for the first days “touring”.
The cars were officially welcomed by MP Tim Owen and flagged underway by the late Tony Tamplins wife, Sonia and their children.
Bashers travelled to Dubbo via many back roads and country towns, playing “bash olympics” along the way including Coolah where they stopped for lunch.
The group were welcomed to Dubbo by the mayor Matthew Dickerson at the Pastoral Hotel Dubbo who passed on some gifts. Bashers were swapping stories of the first day events, and planning ahead for the next 5 days.
THE VARIETY BASH REMEMBERS TONY TAMPLIN
Welcome to sandors motor inn mildura accommerdation available budget rooms$95.00 standard $110.00 deluxe $125.00 all rooms come with a continental breakfast hope to see you in mildura.
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